Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are debilitating to their sufferers. The two syndromes are closely related in regards to extreme fatigue and overlapping symptoms and a growing number of people diagnosed with both. In FMS, muscle pain is greater than the fatigue, and in CFS, lack of energy is more significant than pain. FMS sufferers often report a physical injury or emotional trauma in their history, whereas CFS sufferers often report the illness developing after a viral infection such as flu or glandular fever (mononucleosis).

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Chronic pain throughout the body (aching, burning, sharp and stabbing)

Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:

Persistent physical exhaustion that limits even the most simple activities. Sometimes a sufferer will feel better and overdo it which leads to “payback” (a worse fatigue than previous but a day or two after the exertion).

What Causes the Fatigue?

More recent research suggests that there is a dysfunction in the mitochondria (the “powerhouses” of our cells, where energy is created) in both syndromes. Toxins that should be excreted by the kidneys build up in cells and tissues, reducing ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production. Since ATP is needed to provide energy to the muscles, without a constant supply of this, pain and fatigue are the results.

Using D-Ribose for Chronic Fatigue & Fibromyalgia

Take 1-3 grams up to 3 times a day (or for more severe conditions such as fibromyalgia or advanced heart disease, up to 5 grams 3 times daily with your doctor’s approval ). Initially, you may want to start on a higher dose until energy levels are restored and then continue at a lower maintenance dose.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or suffer from diabetes, please seek advice from your healthcare consultant before commencing on D-Ribose.

References

Gebhart, B. and Jorgenson, J. (2004). The benefit of Ribose in a Patient with Fibromyalgia. Pharmacotherapy, 24(11), pp.1646-1648.

Teitelbaum, J., Johnson, C. and Cyr, J. (2006). The Use of D-Ribose in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 12(9), pp.857-862.